Exodus 14:19-22

Exodus 14:19-22 

English Standard Version 

  When the Old Testament speaks about The angel of the Lord, it's referring to Christ.  Here he is, just as he is in the New Testament, placed between the people and their enemy.  The Egyptians are pursuing the people, and Jesus goes between them, sending light into the Israelites, that they might have hope in the face of their fear.  

  It may seem to the people as though there wasn't a way out, but with Christ shielding them from their enemies, suddenly a way appears, miraculously.  There is hope, and in the place of despair, there is a path through the waters, and the people walk through on dry land.

  I don't know what fearful situation you might be facing, but give thanks that our Savior comes to stand between you and that fear.  Through his power, there is a way made where there was no way, and there is life beyond despair through the power and love of Christ.

Exodus 14:10-14

Exodus 14:10-14 

English Standard Version 

  So the Israelites are fleeing from Pharaoh, and they are afraid.  They ask Moses if they were brought out into the wilderness to die, such is their confidence in God's deliverance.  They wish they could undo it all and go back to the lives of slavery that they knew.  

  Into this chaos, Moses tells the people to not be afraid, and he says what is one of my favorite lines in the Bible.  The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent.

  This is the Gospel message.  We are not the ones who need to triumph -- the battle belongs to the Lord, and he will emerge victorious.  His strength and might will carry the day, and our job is to trust and believe.  We who are weary and beaten down need not find a way to battle to the top of the mountain -- we are to give thanks that the one who secures the mountain comes down to find us.  It is improbable, but it is wonderful, because I can scarcely find my way through the day most days.  God is good, and we are to trust in the one who fights for us, no matter the enemies that gather around us.

Exodus 13:17-22

Exodus 13:17-22

English Standard Version 

  Sometimes, when I'm flying home, the pilot has to wait to park the plane because the ground crew isn't there yet.  The pilot needs the ground crew to direct the plane and ensure it's safely parked.  They need to direct him.  

  The Israelites had the advantage of having God direct their journey.  God appeared in a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, constantly guiding the people so they'd know where to go.

  Did that make it easy?

  Based on the amount of grumbling they did over the next few years, it clearly didn't serve as a constant reminder of all that God had done for them.  They forgot, and they grumbled.  

  So let's not assume that it was any easier for anyone.  It's always tough, because we see opposition and forget about the God who is with us.  God sends reminders, although in these days it's often not such visually obvious ways, but God still reminds us.  So let us keep our eyes and the eyes of our hearts open for what God has in store for us.

Exodus 13:3-8

Exodus 13:3-8

English Standard Version 

  How do you remember?

  When we were kids, we thought about what would make us happy, and when we hit those targets later on... the scoreboard had changed, and we wanted more.  Later on, we achieved more... and once again, the target had moved.  Our appetites had grown.  We grew accustomed to success and forgot about where we'd come from.  We get comfortable.

  Moses is trying to set up a practice to help the people remember. He wants them to remember, once they get into the promised land, where they have come from and how they got there.  Moses wants them to remember all that God has done for them, so they don't start grumbling as soon as things go wrong.  Moses wants them to be anchored in their identity, so they don't drift away from God, growing comfortable in ease and not thinking about all that God did to free them from slavery.

  So how do we remember all that God has done for us?  How do we continually remind ourselves that we have been bought with a price, that God loves and treasures us, and that we have been set free for a purpose, and we should live in gratitude towards God?

Exodus 12:33-36

Exodus 12:33-36 

English Standard Version 

  God didn't let God's people leave empty-handed.  They'd been through something incredibly challenging, an awful four centuries of hardship.  They probably wondered if God had forgotten about them.  

  God had not forgotten.  No matter how many times they'd wondered... God did not forget.

  In the same way, God does not forget about you.  God does not abandon you.  Prayers are not always answered in the time frame that we'd like, but that doesn't mean that God isn't listening, and it doesn't mean that blessings are not coming.  

  So hold onto hope, no matter how dark the night may seem.